Did you know that it is possible to make free phone calls? Well, it is possible! You can speak with family and friends for hours (if you want to) anywhere in the world. No more looking at your watch, worrying about how long the phone call is costing.
Before you continue reading this article, I want to make it plain that this is not an advert. I just want everyone to be excited as I am about talking to their friends in the UK for free.

'What's the catch?' I hear you ask. Well, none really. All you (and the person you are calling) need is a computer (with Windows 2000 or greater) and broadband (internet) connection, speakers or headphones and a microphone. It's totally legal, and around 70 million people are already enjoying long chats using the internet. It's also extremely easy to set up, so don't dismiss it, thinking that if you can't program your video recorder (which I can't) then you won't be able to do this. Believe me, if I can do it then you can!


All you need to do is log on to www.skype.com on the internet, and click on the 'Download' button to download the free Skype software on your computer. You'll just need to give your name and telephone number, and think of an identification name. You can call anyone who's online. My friend and I arrange a day and time to speak, so we know we're going to be online. One of us presses the 'call' button, which allows both of us to hear the ring tone; one of us clicks on the 'Answer Call' button, and we're off!
Skype also has paid services allowing users to call traditional telephone numbers (SkypeOut), receive calls from traditional phones (SkypeIn) and receive voicemail messages. There is even High Speed Conferencing that enables Skype conference calls for up to 500 people.

Click Above to Join Skype

How does it work? I expect some of you will want to skip this bit, but I'll be brief. Skype, built by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, is a VoIP network, using a peer-to-peer networking scheme. However, rather than sharing files, connected PC's help route one another's calls. Skype also uses that routing technology to get around the need for central servers and directories, so delivery can be free. The software compresses the auditory information, delivering bit rates from 3 to 16 Kbps, which is enough for great voice audio. As the service does end-to-end encryption using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard, it is nearly impossible to hack.
You don't have to understand how it works to use it (thank goodness), so happy free 'Skyping.'